This document discusses building better relationships with God, others, family, and community. It provides biblical passages about unity from Ephesians and emphasizes making every effort to keep unity. It lists several ways to build unity, such as having the right attitude, speaking truth in love, forgiving others, and refusing to partner with those unwilling to change. The document stresses that what joins us is more important than what divides us and provides tips for dealing with disunity or wanting to be a spiritual mentor to others. It concludes that unity commands blessing.

1. … with others

2. Build Better Relationships
…. with God
…. with others
…. with family
…. with the community

3. Ephesians 2:6 (NIV)
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us
with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

4. New Rules for Relationships
Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond
of peace.
Ephesians 4:3 (AMP)
3 Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and
oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of
peace.
Ephesians 4:13 (NIV)
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the
Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of
the fullness of Christ.

5. “MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THE UNITY”
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit …”
“…. until we all reach unity in the faith”

6. BUILD UNITY

7. 1. Right attitude is more important
than being right
Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing
with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 (AMP)
2 [Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of
mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness,
gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one
another and making allowances because you love one
another.

8. 2. How you speak is more important
than what you say.
Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all
things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is,
Christ.
Ephesians 4:25-26 (NIV)
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and
speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all
members of one body. 26 "In your anger do not sin":
Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry

9. Ephesians 4:29-31 (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of
your mouths, but only what is helpful for building
others up according to their needs, that it may
benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the
Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for
the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness,
rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with
every form of malice.

10. 3. Forgive
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave
you.

11. 4. Refuse to partner
with those who won’t change
Ephesians 5:5-7 (NIV)
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man
is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no
one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath
comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
Ephesians 5:5-7 (AMP)
5 For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought
or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of
others and is greedy for gain]—for he [in effect] is an idolater—has any
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one delude and deceive
you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through
these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and
disobedience. 7 So do not associate or be sharers with them.

12. 5. What joins us is more important
than what divides us.
Ephesians 4:25 (NIV)
25 … for we are all members of one body.

13. HOW??

14. 1. Jesus does not come to give us
answers – HE IS THE ANSWER.

15. 2. Start today – with yourself!
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to
debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Romans 14:17 (NIV)
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating
and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in
the Holy Spirit,

16. 3. For those struggling with dis-unity:
It’s not always resolvable
Romans 12:18 (NIV)
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
peace with everyone.

17. 4. For those who stay with your parents

18. 5. For those wanting to be a spiritual
father or mother to someone.

19. Unity commands blessing
Psalm 133:1-3 (NIV)
1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live
together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on
the head, running down on the beard, running
down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his
robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on
Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his
blessing, even life forevermore.